Systems and methods for ocular surgery

ABSTRACT

Ocular surgery may be performed by a variety of systems, processes, and techniques. In certain implementations, systems and processes for ocular surgery may include the ability to emulsify a lens in an eye using a modular hand-held system including a phacoemulsification unit detachably coupled to a pump unit and remove lens portions from the eye using suction provided by the pump unit. The system and the process may also include the ability to decouple the phacoemulsification unit from the pump unit, couple an irrigation-aspiration unit to the pump unit to form a second hand-held system, and remove material from the eye using suction provided by the pump unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/793,840, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to optical surgery, and more specificallyto surgical replacement of a patient's lens.

BACKGROUND

The human eye, in simple terms, functions to provide vision bytransmitting and refracting light through a clear outer portion calledthe cornea and focusing the image by way of the lens onto the retina atthe back of the eye. The quality of the focused image depends on manyfactors including the size, shape, and length of the eye, and the shapeand transparency of the cornea and lens.

When trauma, age, or disease causes the lens to become less transparent,vision deteriorates because of a reduction in light transmitted to theretina. This deficiency in the eye's lens is medically known as acataract. The treatment for this condition is often surgical removal ofthe lens and implantation of an artificial lens, typically known as anintraocular lens (IOL).

An IOL is often foldable and inserted into the eye through a relativelysmall incision by being advanced through an IOL insertion cartridge,which causes the IOL to fold. The IOL is typically advanced through theinsertion cartridge by a plunger-like device.

Before inserting an IOL, the old lens is usually removed through aprocess called phacoemulsification. In phacoemulsification, an eye'slens is emulsified with an ultrasonic handpiece and aspirated from theeye. Aspirated fluids are replaced with an irrigation of balanced saltsolution, thus maintaining the anterior chamber, as well as cooling thehandpiece. The irrigation fluid and the aspiration suction are usuallysupplied by a remote surgical console, which is coupled to the handpiecethrough several feet of tubing.

Typically, a second stage is required to completely remove the lens, asthe first stage only extracts the main portions. Thus, afterphacoemulsification, an irrigation-aspiration probe is used to aspirateout the remaining peripheral cortical matter, while leaving theposterior capsule intact,

SUMMARY

A variety of systems, processes, and techniques for ocular surgery aredisclosed. In certain implementations, a modular hand-held system forocular surgery may include a hand-held phacoemulsification unit and ahand-held pump unit. The pump unit may be adapted to provide suction foraspirating fluid and tissue through the phacoemulsification unit andinclude an adapter configured to detachably couple thephacoemulsification unit to the pump unit to form an integratedhand-held system.

In particular implementations, the phacoemulsification unit is alsoadapted to receive suction from a surgical console for aspiratingmaterial from an eye.

In some certain implementations, the adapter is also configured todetachably couple the pump unit to a hand-held irrigation-aspirationunit to form a second integrated hand-held system. The pump unit mayalso provide suction for aspirating material through theirrigation-aspiration unit.

The phacoemulsification unit may, for example, include a male luerfitting, and the adapter may include a female luer fitting. The luerfittings may, for example, be engaged by a friction fit.

In some implementations, a process for ocular surgery may includeemulsifying a lens in an eye using a modular hand-held system includinga phacoemulsification unit detachably coupled to a pump unit andremoving lens portions from the eye using suction provided by the pumpunit. The process may also include decoupling the phacoemulsificationunit from the pump unit, coupling an irrigation-aspiration unit to thepump unit to form a second hand-held system, and removing material fromthe eye using suction provided by the pump unit.

Certain implementations may include polishing a posterior capsule of theeye using the second system.

Various implementations may have one or more features. For example, byusing a hand-held system with a local pump unit to remove a diseasedlens from an eye, chamber stability may be improved duringphacoemulsification. Additionally, since the phacoemulsification unit isdetachable from the pump unit, another unit may be coupled to the pumpunit. For example, an irrigation-aspiration unit or a vitrectomy unitmay be coupled to the pump unit. This provides the ability to use thepump unit for a variety of operations during a procedure, and obtain itsadvantages in each.

A variety of other features will be apparent to those skilled in the artfrom the following description and claims, as well as the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example system for ocularsurgery.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example irrigation-aspirationunit for ocular surgery.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of an example pump unit for ocularsurgery.

FIG. 3B is an exploded cross-sectional view of the example pump unit ofFIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 shows an example surgical console for ocular surgery.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for ocularsurgery.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 for ocular surgery. System 100includes a phacoemulsification unit 110 and a pump unit 140 that aredetachably coupled together. In general, phacoemulsification unit 110 isadapted to break up an eye's lens into pieces and aspirate the pieceswith the suction provided by pump unit 140.

Phacoemulsification unit 110 includes a body portion 120 and a distaltip assembly 130. Body portion 120 includes a housing 121 that issubstantially rigid and may be made of hard plastic, metal, or any otherappropriate material. Body portion 120 may be any length, in someimplementations, the body portion 120 may have a length between aboutfour to six inches. In other instances, body portion 120 may have alength greater than six inches or smaller than four inches. Body portion120 also includes an infusion port 122 for receiving infusion fluids(e.g., a water/saline solution) for delivery to an eye during a lensseparation and removal process. In some instances, the fluid may, forexample, come from a surgical console. Infusion port 122 communicateswith a channel 124 inside of housing 121.

Body portion 120 also includes resonators 125. Resonators 125 areadapted to generate high-frequency vibrations (e.g., ultrasonic) inresponse to applied electrical power, which may be received through anelectrical conduit 126. In particular implementations, resonators 125may be piezoelectric transducers.

Internal to housing 121, body portion 120 includes a horn 127 that isvibrated by resonators 125. Horn 127 may, for example, be composed ofmetal. Horn 127 includes a channel 128 through which eye fluid andtissue may be aspirated. Horn 127 also includes a male luer fitting 129.In particular implementations, male luer fitting 129 is composed of apolymer, which may facilitate resisting separation due to the vibrationsof the system during use.

Distal tip assembly 130 includes a sleeve 131 that is flexible. Sleeve131 may, for example, be made of an elastomeric material (e.g.,silicone). Sleeve 131 forms a channel 132. The channel 132 alsocommunicates with channel 124. Irrigation fluid flows through channel124 and into channel 132. The fluid may flow through channel 132 untilit exits distal tip assembly 130, as indicated by arrows 133.

Distal tip assembly 130 also includes a surgical tip 134. The surgicaltip 130 extends through the sleeve 131. Tip 13.4 is engaged with horn127 of body portion 120 and receives vibrations from resonators 125therethrough. Surgical tip 134 may, for example, be made of metal (e.g.,stainless steel or titanium). Surgical tip 134 includes a distal section135 that may be placed against a lens to emulsify it. Particularly,surgical tip 134, when vibrated, is operable to break up and emulsify anatural eye lens. Distal section 135 includes a port 139 into whichmaterial from the eye may enter. These materials may include fluid inthe eye (e.g., aqueous humor and/or fluid irrigating the eye), lensparticles, tissues, and any other material for which removal from theeye is desirable. These materials may be aspirated from the eye, asindicated by arrow 136. The port 139 communicates with a channel 137that extends through the surgical tip 134. The fluid may be conveyedthrough channel 137 of the surgical tip 134 and through channel 128 ofthe horn 127.

In the illustrated implementation, distal tip assembly 130 is adapted toslideably engage body portion 120. For example, a proximal end 152 ofsurgical tip 134 may be received into a port 154 formed in a distal end156 of the horn 127. Also, in some instances, a proximal end 158 ofsleeve 131 may be received onto a distal end 160 of the housing 121.Further, the proximal end 158 of sleeve 131 may be expandingly flexibleat end 138 to receive the distal end 160 of the housing 121.

Pump unit 140 includes a body 142. In some instances, the body 142 maybe made of metal, hard plastic, or any other appropriate material. Body142 may be any length. In some instances, body 142 may have a lengthabout four to six inches. In other instances, body 142 may have a lengthgreater than six inches or smaller than four inches. Body 142 houses,among other things, a motor 144. In some instances, motor 144 may be anelectric motor. In other implementations, motor 144 may be other typesof motors. For example, in some instances, the motor 144 may be apneumatic, hydraulic, or any other type of motor operable to operatepump unit 140.

In the present example, an electric motor is described. However, thescope of the disclosure is not so limited, and the description of anelectrical motor is provided as an example for illustration purposesonly. Motor 144 is operable to produce a rotational drive motion inresponse to supplied electrical power, which is received throughelectrical conduit 148. In particular implementations, electric motor144 may be a direct current (DC) motor. Electric motor 144 may, forexample, operate between 0 to 6,000 RPM.

Pump unit 140 also includes a pump 146 that is driven by motor 144. Asillustrated, pump 146 is a scroll-type peristaltic pump. In otherimplementations, pump 146 may be another type of peristaltic pump or anyother appropriate type of pump. For example, in some instances, the pump146 may be a venturi-type pump. Pump 146 draws fluid in through achannel 149, which communicates with channel 128 of phacoemulsificationunit 110. Pump unit 140 also includes an aspiration port 150 throughwhich aspirated fluid may be discharged. The aspirated materials (e.g.,fluid and tissue, such as aqueous humor, irrigation fluid, corticalmaterial, epithelial cells, etc.) may be conveyed to a container (e.g.,a bag or tank).

Pump unit 140 may also include an adapter 152. The adapter 152 may becoupled to a distal end 1160 of the pump unit 140. Adapter 1152 mayinclude a female luer fitting 154 that is adapted to receive male literfitting 129 of phacoemulsification unit 110. In some instances, the twoluer fittings 129, 154 mate with each with a friction fit. Female luerfitting 154 may, for example, be made of metal (e.g., stainless steel ortitanium), plastic, or any other appropriate material.

In operation, one or more incisions are made in the eye to allow theintroduction of surgical instruments. A user (e.g., physician or othermedical professional) then removes the anterior face of the capsule thatcontains the lens inside the eye.

Surgical tip 135 of distal tip assembly 130 may then be inserted intothe eye through one of the incisions, until tip 135 is in contact withthe lens. Resonators 125 may then be activated at a relatively highfrequency (e.g., ultrasonic), causing tip 135 to vibrate, to sculpt andemulsify the lens while pump unit 140 aspirates particles through thechannel 137 formed in surgical tip 135. Generally, the lens isfragmented into two or four pieces, and each piece is emulsified andaspirated out with suction through channel 137, channel 128, channel149, and aspiration port 150. After removing all hard portions of alens, e.g., a central lens nucleus, with phacoemulsification, the softerlens portion, e.g., outer lens cortex, may be removed with suction only(e.g., with an irrigation-aspiration unit).

System 100 has a variety of features. For example, system 100 may beused to remove a diseased lens from an eye. Moreover, locating pump unit140 nearer to the phacoemulsification unit 110 may improve chamberstability for phacoemulsification. Maintaining a steady intraocularpressure in the eye is important because pressure fluctuations canresult in, among other things, posterior capsule rupture, endothelialcell loss, and inflammation. Improved anterior chamber stability shouldproduce improved clinical outcomes. Additionally, sincephacoemulsification unit 110 is detachable from pump unit 140, anotherunit may be coupled to pump unit 140. For example, anirrigation-aspiration probe or a vitrectomy probe may be coupled to thepump unit. Thus, system 100 provides the ability to use pump unit 140for a variety of operations during a procedure.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates one example system for ocular surgery, othersystems for ocular surgery may include fewer, additional, and/or adifferent arrangement of components. For example, a differentphacoemulsification unit may be used with pump unit 140. Thus, pump unitis adaptable to different phacoemulsification units. For instance, insome implementations, a phacoemulsification unit may include a secondfine metal instrument called a “chopper” that is used from a side portto help with chopping the nucleus into smaller pieces. As anotherexample, a different pump unit may be used with phacoemulsification unit110. For example, a different pump unit having an adapter operable tointerface with the male luer fitting 129 of the phacoemulsification unit110 may be used.

As another example, phacoemulsification unit 1110 may also be used witha standard surgical console. Because phacoemulsification unit 110includes male liter fitting 129, it may readily couple to surgicalconduits (e.g., hoses or tubes) to a surgical console. That is, in someinstances, phacoemulsification unit 110, decoupled from the pump unit140, may be coupled to a surgical console via one or more surgicalconduits.

Although female luer fitting 154 and male liter fitting 129 are shown tobe mated by a friction fit, other matings between the luer fittings arepossible. For example, male luer fitting 129 may have threads on theoutside that have corresponding threads on adapter 152. Thus, athreading engagement may mate pump unit 140 with phacoemulsificationunit 110. In some instances, the pump unit 140 and phacoemulsificationunit 1110 may be coupled with both a friction fit and a threadedengagement. In particular implementations, pump unit 140 may be matedwith phacoemulsification unit 110 through a threading engagement withouta luer fitting. Various other couplings adapted to maintainphacoemulsification unit 110 and pump unit 140 in an integratedhand-held configuration during a procedure while still allowingdecoupling are possible. Example couplings include a luer lock, arotating thread cuff, and a barbed fitting into elastomer.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example irrigation-aspiration (“FA”) unit 200. FAunit 200 may, for example, be used with a pump unit similar to pump unit140.

The example I/A unit 200 includes a housing 210 defining a channel 214,an insert 211 received within the channel 214, a male luer fitting 219received in a recess 221 formed at a proximal end 230 of the housing210, and a sleeve 220 coupled to a distal end 242 of the housing 210.The housing 210 may be formed from a rigid material. For example, thehousing 210 may be formed from a rigid plastic, metal or other suitablematerial. The housing 210 also includes an infusion port 212 thatdefines a channel 244.

In some implementations, male luer fitting 219 is composed of a polymer.In other implementations, male luer fitting 219 may be composed of ametal or any other appropriate material.

The insert 211 defines a channel 217 extending therethrough. The maleluer fitting 219 defines a channel 236. The I/A unit 200 also includes acannula 224 extending from a distal end 232 of the insert 211. Aproximal end 234 of the cannula 224 is received in the channel 217 atthe distal end 232. The cannula 224 defines a channel 225 extendingtherethrough. The channels 217, 225 and 236 communicate with each otherto define an aspiration passage 238.

The sleeve 220 defines a channel 222. The distal end of the housing 210may be received into the channel 222, such that the sleeve 220 expandsover the distal end of the housing 210 to form a sealed interface, inother implementations, other engagements (e.g., threaded or barbed) maybe used. The cannula 224 extends through the channel 222 and such that adistal end 226 of the cannula 224 extends past a distal end 242 of thesleeve 220. In some instances, the cannula 224 may be formed entirety orin part from a plastic material. In other implementations, the cannula224 may be formed from a metal, such as stainless steel or titanium. Inother instances, the cannula 224 may be formed from any suitablematerial. Further, in some instances, the cannula 224 may include a tip231. The tip 231 may be utilized, for example, to polish the capsularbag. In some instances, the tip 231 may be an integral part of thecannula 224. For example, where the cannula 224 is formed from aplastic, the tip 231 may be an integral part thereof. In implementationswhere the cannula 224 is formed from a metal, the tip 231 may be formedfrom a plastic applied to the distal end 226 of the cannula 224. Forexample, the tip 231 may be overmolded onto the cannula 224.

An outer surface of insert 211 and an inner surface of the housing 211define an annular space extending 240 through the housing 210. Theannular space 240 is isolated from the aspiration passage 238. Theannular space 240 communicates with channels 222, 244 to define aninfusion passage 246. The infusion passage 246 is fluidly separate fromthe aspiration passage 238.

Infusion fluid, such as a water/saline solution (e.g., a balanced saltsolution), is introduced into the infusion passage 246 via the infusionport 212. In some implementations, the infusion fluid exits the unit 200at the distal end 242 of the sleeve 220, as indicated by arrows 223. Inother implementations, the sleeve 220 may include one or more ports 243formed at the distal end 242 thereof, which permit outflow of theirrigation fluid. The infusion fluid exits the I/A unit 200 at thedistal end 242 of the sleeve 220, as indicated by arrows 223. Theinfusion fluid may be provided to an eye during a procedure, such ascortex removal or capsule polishing. The infusion fluid may, forexample, be provided by a surgical console.

Aspirated materials, represented by arrow 227, are drawn into theaspiration passage 238 of the I/A unit 200 via a distal opening 248. Theaspirated materials pass through the aspiration passage 238 and exit theI/A unit 200 via the male luer fitting 219.

In the illustrated implementation, sleeve 220 slideably engages withbody portion 210. Thus, sleeve 220 expands over the distal portion ofbody portion 210 to create a sealed interface.

In operation, the I/A unit 200 may be coupled to a handheld pump unit,such as, for example, the pump unit 140, and to an irrigation supplyline (e.g., from a surgical console). The distal end 226 of the cannula224 may be inserted into the eye through an existing incision.Materials, such as cortical material, may then be aspirated, along withother tissue (e.g., epithelial cells), while leaving the posteriorcapsule intact. Simultaneously, fluids may be irrigated into the eye tostabilize it. Additionally, if desired, the posterior capsule of the eyemay be polished with distal end 226.

The I/A unit 200 has a variety of features. For example, by locating apump unit nearer to the phacoemulsification unit, chamber stability maybe improved. Additionally, the I/A unit 200 may be used with aconventional surgical console if desired. A handheld pump unit can alsobe positioned remotely from the I/A unit 200 (e.g., for ergonomicreasons) and coupled to the irrigation-aspiration unit via aspirationtubing.

Although FIG. 2 illustrates an example I/A unit 200, other systems mayuse other I/A units that may include fewer, additional, and/or adifferent arrangement of components.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example pump unit 300. Pump unit 300includes a drive portion 310 and a pumping portion 320. Pump unit 300may, for example, be usable in system 100.

Drive portion 310 includes a body 312. In the illustratedimplementation, body 312 is generally cylindrical and made of metal, butmay have other shapes and be made of other materials in otherimplementations. Body 312 includes a slot 314 configured to receive afluid port 330 of pumping portion 320, to be discussed below. Insidebody 312 is an electric motor and a rotor 316 that is driven thereby. Aconduit 318 is used to supply electricity to drive portion 310.

Pumping portion 320 includes an outer shell 322 and an inner shell 324.Outer shell 322 is sized to fit around body 312 of drive portion 316 andinner shell 324 is sized to fit inside body 312. Thus, body 312 slidesbetween outer shell 322 and inner shell 324. The shells 322, 324 may bemade of hard plastic, metal, or any other appropriate material. Insideinner shell 324, pumping portion 320 includes an elastomeric pumpsegment 326 that includes integrated conduits 327. Elastomeric pumpsegment 326 engages rotor 316 in drive portion 310. The elastomeric pumpsegment 326 is engaged by the rotor 316 as the rotor 316 is rotated tocause material within the integrated conduits 327 to be transportedtherethrough. For example, the rotor 316 may compress the elastomericpump section 326, thereby causing a peristaltic pumping action totransport material within the integrated conduits 327. Thus, elastomericpump segment 326 may, for example, provide a peristaltic-type action topump fluids through pump unit 300.

Pumping portion 320 also includes an adapter 328. In some instances, theadapter 328 may be adapted to engage a male luer fitting on a unitadapted to couple thereto (e.g., a phacoemulsification unit and/or anirrigation-aspiration unit). In other implementations, the adapter 328may be adapted to be received into a female fitting on a unit, such as aphacomulsification hand piece, and irrigation and aspiration hand piece,or any other desired device. Adapter 328 includes an interior channel332. The interior channel 332 is in fluid communication with theintegrated conduits 327. Fluid may be drawn into pump unit 300 throughthe interior channel 332. Pumping portion 320 also includes a fluid port330 through which fluid may be expelled from pump unit 300. Fluid port330 is sized to be received in slot 314 in body 312.

The drive portion 310 and the pumping portion 320 may be coupledtogether by insertion of a distal end 313 of the body 312 between theouter shell 322 and inner shell 324 of the pumping portion 320 with thefluid port 330 aligned with the slot 314. In the illustrated example,the pumping portion 320 may be rotated relative to the drive portion 310such the fluid port 330 resides within a transverse portion 315 of theslot 314. Thus, by rotating the pumping portion 320 and drive portion310 relative to each other, the fluid port 330 is made to reside in thetransverse portion 315 of slot 314, causing the pumping portion 320 tobe secured to drive portion 310.

Pump unit 300 has a variety of features. For example, pump unit 300allows pumping action to be performed near a coupled unit, such as aphacoemulsification unit or irrigation-aspiration unit. Thus, chamberstability may be improved. Additionally, since pumping portion 320 isseparable from drive portion 310, pumping portion 320 may be removedafter a procedure (e.g., due to being contaminated with biologicalmaterial) while preserving drive portion 310. Thus, drive portion 310may be used for multiple procedures. Additionally, since adapter 328 isadapted to engage a number of coupleable units (e.g., aphacoemulsification unit, an irrigation-aspiration unit, etc.), pumpunit 300 may be used for multiple operations during a surgicalprocedure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example surgical console 400 for use in ocularsurgery. Console 400 includes a housing 402 with a computer system 404and an associated display 406 operable to show, for example, datarelating to system operation and performance during a surgicalprocedure. Display 406 may also interface with the console 400, such asto establish or change one or more operations of the console 400. Insome instances, display 406 may include a touch-sensitive screen forinteracting with the console 400 by touching the screen of the display406.

Various probes may be used with surgical console 400. Console 400 may,for example, provide electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and/or otherappropriate type of power to a probe. Console 400 may also be operableto control the supplied power, e.g., an infusion rate of fluid to asurgical site, aspiration of fluid from a surgical site, and/orultrasonic power to a phacoemulsification unit, as well as to monitorone or more patient vital signs.

Console 400 may also include a number of systems that are used togetherto perform ocular surgical procedures. For example, the systems mayinclude a footswitch system 408 including, for example, a footswitch410, a fluidics system 412, which could, for example, provide activeirrigation, aspiration, and a pneumatics system 418. The pneumaticssystem 418 may be operable to supply power to and control a probe. Forexample, the pneumatics system 418 may be operable to repeatedly cycleapplication of a pressurized gas. In some instances, the pneumaticsystem 418 may be operable to cycle pressurized gas at rates within therange of one cycle per minute to 7,500 cycles per minute, or possiblyeven 10,000 cycles per minute or more. In certain implementations, thecycled gas may be applied at, for example, different pressures,different rates, and different duty cycles. A probe may also beinterfaced with console 400 via pneumatics system 418 (e.g., to controlactuation of a cutter). Fluidics system 412 may be operable to provideinfusion and/or irrigation fluids to the eye. The fluidics system 412may also be operable to generate a vacuum, such as to aspirate materialsduring a surgical procedure. To optimize performance of the differentsystems during surgery, their operating parameters may be variedaccording to, for example, the particular procedure being performed, thedifferent stages of the procedure, the surgeon's personal preferences,whether the procedure is being performed in the anterior or posteriorportion of the patient's eye, and so on.

In this implementation, fluidics system 412 includes a fluid reservoir414 and a fluid control device 416. Fluid reservoir 414 holds the fluidto irrigate an eye. The fluid may, for example, be a water/salinesolution. In particular implementations, fluid reservoir 414 may alsosupply fluid for other operations during an ocular surgery (e.g., tomaintain intraocular pressure). Fluid control device 416 is coupled tofluid reservoir 414 and is adapted to control the flow of fluid fromfluid reservoir 414 to an irrigation port of a handheld device (e.g., aphacoemulsification probe or an irrigation-aspiration probe). Fluidreservoir 414 may, for example, be a bag, and fluid control device 416may be a pump. Fluidics system 412 may also supply the irrigation fluidby a gravity feed.

The different systems in console 400 may include control circuits forthe operation and control of the various functions and operationsperformed by console 400, such operations of a probe. Computer system404 may be operable to govern the interaction and relationship betweenthe different systems to properly perform a surgical procedure. To dothis, computer system 404 may include one or more processors, one ormore memory devices, and may be configured or programmed to controloperations of console 400, for example, based upon pre-establishedprograms or sequences.

In certain modes of operation, console 400 may provide irrigation fluidto a phacoemulsification unit through a line 413. Thephacoemulsification unit may receive suction for aspiration from a localpump unit that is coupled to the phacoemulsification unit. The consolemay also supply irrigation fluid to another coupleable unit (e.g., anirrigation-aspiration unit) through line 413. Further, one unit, e.g.,the irrigation-aspiration unit, may be utilized subsequent to apreviously used unit, e.g., a phacoemulsification unit. However, a unit,such as one or more of the units described herein or other suitableunits, may be used in any desired order. The irrigation-aspiration unitmay also receive suction from the pump unit, which may have beenpreviously coupled to the phacoemulsification unit.

In certain implementations, console 400 may provide suction for one ormore handpieces. For example, console 400 could provide suction for aphacoemulsification unit of an I/A unit. In some instances, the console400 may be used to provide suction to an I/A unit such as I/A unit 200.

FIG. 5 illustrates selected operations for an example process 500 forocular surgery. Process 500 may, for example, be accomplished with asystem similar to system 100.

Process 500 calls for emulsifying a lens in an eye using a modularhand-held system including a phacoemulsification unit and a pump unit(operation 504). Emulsifying a lens, may, for example, include breakingthe lens into several pieces using ultrasonic movement. For example, insome instances, the lens may be fragmented into four pieces. However,the lens may be fragmented into any number of different pieces.

Process 500 also calls for removing portions of the lens using thehand-held system (operation 508). For example, portions of the lens maybe aspirated out through the phacoemulsification unit due to suctionprovided by the pump unit.

Process 500 additionally calls for decoupling the phacoemulsificationunit from the pump unit (operation 512). The phacoemulsification unitmay, for example, be decoupled by detaching a male luer fitting of thephacoemulsification unit from a female luer fitting of the pump unit.

Process 500 also calls for coupling an irrigation-aspiration unit to thepump unit to form a second system (operation 516). Theirrigation-aspiration unit may, for example, be coupled by attaching amale luer fitting of the irrigation-aspiration unit to a female luerfitting of the pump unit.

Process 500 additionally calls for removing materials from the eye usingthe second system (operation 520). For example, cortical materials maybe removed from the eye. Other materials, e.g., fluids and/or othertissues, may also be removed. The materials may, for example, be removedby being aspirated out through the irrigation-aspiration unit due tosuction provided by the pump unit.

Process 500 also calls for polishing the lens capsule of the eye withthe second system (operation 524). The posterior capsule may, forexample, be polished with a tip or distal end of theirrigation-aspiration unit.

Although FIG. 5 illustrates one implementation of a process for ocularsurgery, other processes for ocular surgery may include fewer,additional, and/or a different arrangement of operations. For example, aprocess may include operations prior to emulsifying the lens. Forinstance, one or more incisions may be made in the eye (e.g., throughthe cornea) to allow the introduction of surgical instruments. Also, theanterior face of the capsule that contains the lens inside the eye maybe removed. As an additional example, a process may include irrigatingthe eye (e.g., with a balanced salt solution) during the removal of thelens and/or other materials from the eye. As another example, a processmay not include polishing the lens capsule. As a further example, aprocess may include switching an irrigation supply line from thephacoemulsification unit to a separate irrigation handpiece unit.Moreover, a number of the operations may be performed in acontemporaneous or simultaneous manner.

The various implementations discussed and mentioned herein have beenused for illustrative purposes only. The implementations were chosen anddescribed in order to explain the principles of the disclosure and thepractical application and to allow those of skill in the art tounderstand the disclosure for various implementations with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus,the actual physical configuration of components may vary. For example,the mentioned size(s) of components and their illustrated sizingrelative to each other may vary based on application. Moreover, theshapes of one or more components may vary depending on application.Thus, the illustrative implementations should not be construed asdefining the only physical size, shape, and relationship of components.

Various systems and techniques for ocular surgery have been discussed,and several others have been mentioned or suggested. However, thoseskilled in the art will readily recognize that a variety of additions,deletions, substitutions, and modifications may be made to these systemsand techniques while still achieving ocular surgery. Thus, the scope ofprotection should be judged based on the following claims, which maycapture one or more aspects of one or more implementations.

1. A modular hand-held system for ocular surgery, the system comprising:a hand-held phacoemulsification unit; a hand-held pump unit, the pumpunit adapted to provide suction for aspirating material through thephacoemulsification unit, the pump unit comprising an adapter configuredto detachably couple the phacoemulsification unit to the pump unit toform an integrated hand-held system.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe phacoemulsification unit is adapted to receive suction from asurgical console for aspirating material from an eye.
 3. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising a hand-held irrigation-aspiration unit,wherein the adapter is also configured to detachably couple the pumpunit to the hand-held irrigation-aspiration unit to form a secondintegrated hand-held system, the pump unit adapted to provide suctionfor aspirating material through the irrigation-aspiration unit.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the phacoemulsification unit comprises a maleleer fitting, and the adapter comprises a female leer fitting.
 5. Thesystem of claim 4, wherein the liter fittings are engaged by a frictionfit.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the adapter is composed ofplastic.
 7. A method for ocular surgery, the method comprising:emulsifying a lens in an eye using a modular hand-held system comprisinga phacoemulsification unit detachably coupled to a pump unit; removinglens portions from the eye using suction provided by the pump unit;decoupling the phacoemulsification unit from the pump unit; coupling anirrigation-aspiration unit to the pump unit to form a second hand-heldsystem; and removing material from the eye using suction provided by thepump unit.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising polishing aposterior capsule of the eye using the second system.